NEWS & NOTES

A free, interactive night of light, music, and family fun on O’Donnell Square!

If you think the average Saturday night out in the Square is fun, wait until you see what’s going down—or is it lighting up?—on April 21! A dedicated group of Canton volunteers has worked for months planning the second annual Light Night Canton, a free, interactive night of light, music, and family fun celebrating Light City Baltimore.

Bring the family and enjoy this unique celebration featuring a giant light display in the middle of O'Donnell Square. Thrill to incredible live action, including Charmcity Skatepark skateboarders and MBC Baltimore Bike Club. Bounce around to live music from MSH and The Vibesmen, backed by a super cool liquid light performance by Linwood Light Collective. Get your groove on in the dance tent with DJ Cheaky Willie, or channel your inner artist in the black light tunnel.

For the kids (and the kids at heart), there’s face painting with local artist and Canton resident Ania Milo Swann, a performance by Dance on the Square children’s dance troupe, an arts & crafts table, and a “Light ’Em Up” costume contest and parade.

Since festivities are nothing without food, treat yourself to tasty bites from local restaurants including Southern Provisions, Claddagh Pub, Looney’s Pub, Mama’s on the Half Shell, Nacho Mamas, Plug Ugly’s Publick House, El Bufalo, Jasa Kabob, Cup Love, and Canton Pretzel Store. And this year, to wash it all down, try a beer from Evolution Craft Brewing Co., a glass of wine, or a whiskey tasting with Sagamore Spirit.

The LNC Event Team consists of four core volunteers: Torbin Green, Amanda Bourgeois, Julie M. Kichline, and Tommy Bee. This year, Katie Billotti Fisher and Sadia Arnold joined the crew to help with logistics, along with craftsman Chris Broughton and artist Ellen Lovelidge, who brought the creative vision to life. Matt Lasinski, aka Bull, of Southern Provisions helped organize the food and beverages. Father Jim from Church on the Square, Nicole Wright, and Sean Ellis also contributed to producing such a creative, diverse and interactive event.

“We hope you can join the party,” says Event Founder and CCA Board Member Torbin Green. “Having the community and businesses coming together to celebrate is important because neither would exist or thrive without each other.”

“Last year was our first event and we were totally stoked by the results. Neighbors of all ages came to play, eat, dance and create under the lights. It was fantastic!” says Julie M. Kichline, the Creative/Marketing Director for LNC and owner of Kik-line Design. “I’m beyond excited by what we’re bringing to life for LNC 2018!”

“This year, we’re partnering with the Canton Community Association and are moving the event to O’Donnell Square to expand the fun,” said LNC Co-Founder and CCA Vice President Amanda Bourgeois. “Canton needs to start Spring with a positive view of itself and Light Night Canton is just the way to do it. This is going to be a fully creative experience with activities for children and adults to enjoy.”

LNC wants everyone to “get lit”! Dress yourself up—and the kids—in your favorite glow-in-the-dark or lighted attire. To make it easy for you, official Light Night Canton merchandise can be purchased in advance at 2910 on the Square. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the O’Donnell Square Park Upkeep Fund.

Everyone who attends receives a free, lighted gift. Please share the event link to help get the word out to the community.

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, vendor, or an official LNC volunteer contact Torbin Green at outreach@cantoncommunity.org or Amanda Bourgeois at volunteer@cantoncommunity.org. To volunteer, email sadia_arnold@hotmail.com. A variety of positions still need to be filled: artists, face painters, ticket takers, litter picker-uppers, setup and break-down crews, and more. School kids can earn community service hours, and non-profit groups with five or more volunteers will receive a free vendor table.

Light Night Canton is presented by Smalltimore, offering hyper-local community fundraising and event planning, and Baltimore Guided, a community collective circulating local news and cool stuff about East Baltimore and beyond, in partnership with the Canton Community Association.